Rochester Police Urge Caution With Coyote Sightings

The Rochester City Police Department has been taking several calls lately about coyote sightings in the city, according to Police Chief Steven Schettenhelm. 

In August, a Rochester Hills man reported a deer in his yard believed to have been killed by a pack of coyotes. 

Schettenhelm has provided the following information to the media so community members can help identify coyotes and know what to do if they encounter one. 

Coyote Information and Facts

Coyotes can be difficult to distinguish from a medium sized German shepherd dog from a distance. There is wide variation in the coyote's color, but generally their upper body is yellowish gray, and the fur covering the throat and belly is white to cream color. The coyote's ears are pointed and stand erect, unlike the ears of domestic dogs that often droop. When observed running, coyotes carry their bushy, black tipped tail below the level of their back. 

Wolves, which are found in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, are larger than coyotes and carry their tail in a horizontal position while running. The size and weight of coyotes are commonly overestimated, because their long fur masks a bone structure that is slighter than that of most domestic dogs.

Coyotes are opportunistic and will eat almost anything available. Small mammals such as mice, voles, shrews, rabbits, hares, and squirrels are preferred foods. However, insects, fruits, berries, birds, frogs, snakes, plants, and seeds round out their diet. In areas with high deer numbers, carrion resulting from vehicle deer collisions, natural causes, and crippling losses is an important source of food. In urban areas, coyotes are attracted to garbage, garden vegetables, and pet foods. They will also prey on unattended small dogs and cats, if opportunities exist.

People are most likely to see coyotes during their breeding period, which occurs in Michigan from mid January into March. As fall approaches, pups begin dispersing from the den site to establish home ranges of their own. These young dispersing animals sometimes wander into urban areas. Coyotes are active day and night; however, peaks in activity occur at sunrise and sunset. Coyotes generally feed at night.

Some Additional Facts

• Coyotes are in every community
• There is great information on the DNR website – Michigan.gov/DNR
• Once in an area Coyotes will “Rule the Area” with no natural predators
• Coyotes will hunt anything under their weight usually up to 40 lbs.
• Horns/bright lights or whistles may help to scare a coyote away
• They are curious but also very skittish
• Larger pets should not chase a Coyote, for if they do catch one, there is a very high chance of the pet being killed in the fight